Napoleon wanted the people to see his power. "I found the crown of France lying on the ground, and i picked it up with a sword." The people saw him as a French military hero, who saw his chance to step up as the new government continued to prove themselves ineffective.
Meeting of the Estates General
1789
A collective group of representatives for all 3 states, the clergy, nobility, and the commoners, brought together to vote on new laws.
The tennis court oath
June 20, 1789 - 1791
The members of the French Third Estate took the Tennis Court Oath, vowing "not to separate and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established".
the Storming of the Bastille
July 14, 1789
Because of the food shortages, unemployment, and high prices: caused workers and tradesmen to arm themselves. On July 14, a mob storms the royal prison called the Bastille, stealing weapons and making and important statement....Down with the king!!!
the Reign of Terror
September 5, 1793 - July 28, 1794
A period of violence during the French Revolution marked by mass executions of "Enemies of the Revolution". Over 41,000 people killed by the popular Guillotine for suspicion of loyalty.
Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
9 November 1799 - 18 June 1815
Napoleon mobilizes a Grand Army to conquer Russia. Bur because of freezing temperatures, starvation, and tactics of the Russian army, many died. Napoleon then tries to raise another army in Paris, but is defeated, forced to step down, and is exiled to Elba.
The Congress of Vienna
1814 - 1815
Following Napoleon's defeat and the crumbling of the Grand Empire, European Absolutist powers met in Vienna, Austria to decide on how to restate peace and order to Europe. Their main goal was to restore the old regime in Europe.